uganda, I've loved you

I am about 7 hours into my 16 hour flight from Dubai. Due to the British Airways strikes I had to switch airlines and come home today (the 7th) instead of the 9th as originally planned. I said goodbye to Uganda and Caleb (he does not leave until the 9th). I was sick the last day so did not think through leaving after 5 months. So now I am on the airplane and missing Uganda. Flying to Europe and then on to Uganda in January seems like no time ago. And here I am back on the airplane but in between I have experiences, met people, and learned things that I am so grateful for. Jesus has been so faithful. In ways that I could not have put together, his plan has been perfect. Oh what could be in store next?!

With lots and lots of tears we said good bye to the kids at the orphanage on Saturday morning. Gosh, I miss them. How quickly we all fell in love. The best part about leaving though is that hopefully we will be able to do something, that our relationship with these kids is not over. We are going to try and send school fees to Patrick (the director of Raising Up Hope) every term. It is a pretty big commitment and even now as our time there is turning into a memory I know we will have to be so intentional to stay committed. I just don’t want to come home and forget all that I was touched by. The next term starts in August and so for the 22 kids who have been in school this past term (due to a one time gift) it is really important that we at least find the money for them so that they do not have to drop out and repeat the same year again. I wish that some of the kids in America could see these kid’s eagerness and desire to learn, and the gratitude when they get to. But with no families and very little resources the hope for these kids is that they become educated and learn to speak English well. My prayer is that we get to part of empowering them. I just have some of the greatest pictures of these kids and would love to share some of their stories with you (without putting them on the internet). So if I am going to see you this summer or next fall, PLEASE ask me about them. I would love to share with you :)

Thanks for listening about my life :) I have missed you and am glad to be coming home, and with such sweet memories!